Engine starter



Nov. 20, 1923. 1,474,371

A. T. KIRK ENGINE STARTER Filed Jan. 3, 1922 2 ShGBtS-Shfifit 1 (QM WM 5 fi daaaw Nov. 20, 1923 1,474,371

A. T. KIRK ENGINE STARTER Filed Jan. 5 1.922 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Nov. 20, 1923.

UNITED STATES ALLEN '1. sum, or cmcseo, ILLINOIS..

ENGINE STARTER.

Application filed January 3, 1922. Serial No. 526,769.

T all whom it ma: concern:

Be it known t at I, ALLEN T. KIRK, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Engine Starters, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of thisspecification.

My invention relates to an electrically actuated starter for an internal combustion engine of any one of the several types commonly used upon automotive vehicles.

Generally speaking, the starter comprises an electric motor with which is associated a pinion that is caused to mesh with teeth carried by the flywheel of the engine, when the power of the electric motor is to be utilized for starting the engine, the pinion being moved out of mesh with the flywheel teeth when the engine commences to operate under its own power. 1

' Among its more important objects, my invention contemplates:

1. The provision of an engine starter comprising means for insuring that the circuit of the starting motor is never closed except when teeth of its associated pinion are fully in mesh with the teeth of the flywheel;

2. The provision of an engine starter comprising electromagnetic means for moving the starting motor pinion into positive eng ement with the teeth of the flywheel of 5 the en 'ne when the latter is to be started 3. T e provision of an engine starter comprising improved circuit controlling mechanism adapted to insure that electrical en-- ergy is supplied .to the motor when, and 40 oniy when, the teeth of the startingmotor pinion are fully-in mesh with the teeth of' the flywheel;

4. The provision of an engine starter comprising electromagnetic means 'adapted to cause the starter motor pinion to disengage the teeth of the flywheel when the engine is running under its own power; and

5. The provision of an engine starter comprising means under the control of the op- 5n era-tor for causing the last-mentioned elec tromagnetic means to cause the starting motor pinion to disengage the teeth of the flywheel, if, for any reason, the engine fails able housing C which is to start when the flywheel thereof is sub jected to the torque of the starting motor.

I In the accompanying drawings illustratin my invention:

Figure 1 is a plan view of an internal combustion engine to which the starterof my invention has been applied;

Figure 2 is a sectional view of the apparatus which controls the starting motor pinion and also insures that the motor circuit is closed when, and only when, the said pinion is in mesh with the teeth of the flywheel;

Figure 3 is a vertical section taken on the line'3-3 of Figure 2,and looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Figure 4 is a vertical section taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 2, andlooking in the di-' rectionindicated by the arrows; and

Figure 5 is a, circuit diagram.

Similar characters of reference refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

eferring first to Figure 1, reference letter A represents-an internal combustion engine provided with a, flywheel-B, the flywheel being preferably djsosedin a suitormed integral with or otherwise fixed with respect to the crankcase of the engine; At D is indicated a dynamo electricmachine which is preferably compound wound and need not differ inits construction from electricr motors heretofore commonly .used. The reference letter '13 'indicatesxa housing which is convenientlyboltedto flywheel housing C. Housing E contains amajor portion of the apparatus with which my present invention is lparticularly concerned. 1

eferring now to Figure- 2, it. will-be noted that 'a shaft .10 extends horizontally through .housing' E. One end-of 'shaft 10 is disposedin proximity; to and insubstantial alignment with one end of the armature shaft of motor D and is mechanically connected therewith by any suitable form of coupling, indicated at 11. The specific form of coupling shown comprises ,a comparatively stiff coil spring having; one end there of fixed with respect to the motor shaft and its other end fixed with respect to shaft 10.

Shaft 10 extends through a sleeve 12, said sleeve 12 being keyed or equivalently related to said shaft and being capable, of axial movement independently thereof, it beas an alternative construction; the shaft may.

end :thereof'which lies neazieslithe 1 edfor uro moe nin. bearing :93: in a. suitable bearing boss 13 which is formed in with one end i gust Bearing 14 is carried b :i""i1il img boss 14* which is ccrri y a web winte s-.- mediate wall 15 which forms part o'f'h'ouing E. The several pertsgfiahousingE and the bushings 13 and 14 are preferably formed of-innnhmhgnetic material. Shaftsleeve- 12 are formed ofany material suitable for the urposc -for instance, hardcned steel. A ey l mayafiordthe necessary connection-between'shuft and sleeve 12,:butit will ofcourse,ibe=understood that;

have a square or other pol final crossnectionand fit snugl butsli 1y; inaicorrespon'dingly' shape sIeeVe Asagen-J Carried by sleeve 12 anch keyed ufi onl that ywheel;

isea'; pinionil6uthe lafisrsiledgesaoi the inion teethswhichili nearestjzheqflywheel-w enj the pinion is in-the position-illustrated in Fi' 2,--being beveled; correspondingly -to th'emdjacnt 11mm]; edges of teethof the;

flywheel; The-pinion horm'ailly: Iies' out ofmesh with theteetliZOfthBEfiyWheL-but is adapted to be moved -in' niesh therewith in the ma'nnnandby the in'eans ircsently to be described.- m relatinely light-spring 17. is

used around shaft-l d; and; is located be-- twe'en-Pim'fin 16 211191 1; shoulder aflorded by a -Washer 17t-whiclf is'giarried by the-tend-oi shaft-'10 ivhichlies ad'acen'fi tbehflywheel ring is preferab inst'zstiib enou' h to prevent-Edie pinioni 1 romi e aging e teethmf thc-fiywheelifirhen the-enginezis arms consisting of a nin" undei'its o'wn power; .1;u-Y;--.:

disposed around the bearingboss 1'3; and fixed thereori'in a'ny suitablelmanner 'IS an annular magnet.core=19,.':preferdbly of soft iron, which. comprises annular; finnges: 19'- 19 of different:diametrsQvhich-constP tutemagnet oles; when :corc'19-is excited by its associate electromagnetic indicatednt 20. Disposed aroundz'bearinglb'o'sa 14 is'anothr-rnagnet QITrrhich-is idem. wi'th'lcore: 19;-:bu.t Areversely hrianged; i. e., the po1es=21' -and:21fof* core 21' extend 'toward the corresponding Roles of core 19'.

Associated with-core 21 Is s suitable winding indicated at v Carrid'by sleeve 12 isiin annular soft iron structure 23 which constitutes on armsture forthe electromagnets'hereinbefore described. Said armathre is incapable of longitudinal rnoveliient independently of sleeve 12, but the sleeve ispreferably capable of rotary mo ement with respect to said arms.- ture 23. The connection betw'een the sleeve and the armature mny consist of a. pin 24 carried by the armature and extending tanbearing Whefrthe' lil'a'giie tdore 19 is polarized b its a A windin r the armature 23 \vi 1 be ht irhct d townrd Elia core 19 and the pinion- 16 will; he nlov ed into mesh with the teeth of flywheel B. When the electromagnetic core 2i is subsequently excited, the inion, will be caused to diseuga e the flyw 1501- The circuits including the elect-romagnetic windings 20 end 22 and suitable devices: for ;con,trol.ling said circuits will presently: be explained. I

Know calljattention to the fact that the right ,end (Figure 2) of housing E carries two pairs of contact blocks 26-26 and 27-27. The contact blocks may he formed of i'carbon or other suitable material and are here illustrated as being received in contact block holders 28, the latter being formed of conducting material. The contact block holdere-of each air are electrically connected by bars oucon uctors 29-29 and all of the contact blocks are insulated from housing E by insulating material, indicated at 30-30. Blocks 26-26 are electrically connected with aasnitable terminal 31 and blocks 27 are conncted "with a, similar terminal 32. As will subsequently appear, one of said terminals 31 or 32 is electrically connected with one of theitenmi-nals of motor D, while the other of said terminals 31 or 32 is suitably grounded.

I now call attention to the snap-ow! switch mechanism which is illustrated in Ei res 2 and 3.. This mechanism compnses twoaarms 33 and33", each of said air. of side members 34-34: which are pre ernbly formed of insulu'ting material. Eaich of the side memhers tel-34 of the snap-over arm 33 is pivc ted at a-point intermediate its ends to a. rod or shaft :35,- n'rhich' in turn is carried by lugs 36-36 which are conveniently formed integral with the intermediate wall or web 15 of housing E. The side members 34-34 of the lower arm 33" of the snnp-oyen'mcchanism are similarly pivoted at oints intermediate their ends upon the re or shaft 35 which is carried by another pair of lugs 36-36.

Each-of the side members 34 of the upper arm 33 of the snap-over mechanism is providcd at its lower end with :1- pin 37 which engages in a, slot 38 in the 11 )per end of the adjacent side member 34 of the lower arm of the snap-over mechanism. Those ends of the pin 37 which lie next adjacent the sleeve 12 are provided with rollers 39-39, the purpose of which will presently appear. The free ends of the side members 34-34 of each arm of the snap-over mechanism are block-s26 and 27.

turn carry conductor bars &3

'to the sum or=diameter start the engine A. As soon as nczearn which 'are, secured to. on: Qrmed integral withthe insulating supports 42 ,which in g -offihe ds 0 arewnhec o by Cbrrespondtension 5 rings It, wiil be understood attwhenthe rollers-3,9 lie in the;

positions illustratedin Figure 2, th springs 4343 out ,o f exl pagemcnt c'with contact 39 -39 are movedto the left (Fignrefi) to such an extent that they lie to the left of a.

conductor barsHa into engagement with contact-blocks 26 r andfl'l, ,th'us establishin electrical connection between reminds owever; ,whenvthe rollers.

A t-44 .tend tonhold the conductor .bars.

connected ends of the arms of the snap-over mechanism to the left. At the instant that the pinion 16 has been moved completely into meshwith the flywheel teeth, the ring XX carries the rollers 3939 to the left Figure 2) of a strai bt line passing t reg the rods 40-40. lVhen this has oc curr the springs 44 quickly throw the conductor bars into on agement with switch contact blocks 26 and 2 The circuit of the starting- ,motor is now closed, said circuit 1 being traceable from battery 47 through constraight ,line H-,t hro hthe rods M, t sigh. 3511mm s erightend of sleeve. 12 2) is reduced.

in cross seotionto provide-an-annular shoulder X. ,S aced fr0m-'sh0ulder X and'fixed ersposititm; Thesp g iil-normallfyrholds r the switch bar incontact with each-o a pair of contacts62 and 63. HWhen depressed, the switch bar is adapted, electrically to connect a pair of contacts 64and'65. At 46-1 have illustrated aswitch whichunay be'located in any convenient position and which used only in the event that it sometimes proves necessary or desirable to excite the electromagnet winding 22 from battery.

Now let us assume thatwthe various elements of my starting equipment arein the positions illustrated in the drawings and that the pedal switch 60 isde ressed to e pedal is depressed, the electronic not; winding 20'is energized from battery 4 through a circuit including conductor 48, switch contact 465, switch bar 60, switch contact 6i, conductors 49 and 51 and thence throu htheelectromagnet winding 201:0 roun battery. At this-time t e armature of motor D remains stationary, the motor circuit bei open. As 'soon as-the electromagnet win g 20..polar'izes its core 19, the arma- .ture 23 isdraw-nntoward core 19 and pinion engagesthe rollers 39 -39 and moves the.

rtion ofsleeve 12' and to.

doctor 48, switch contact 65, switch 60, switch contact-64, conductor 49.and conductor 50 to one terminal of motor D, thence through the motor,.conductor 51- and the snap-over switch to ground. Power from the motor shaft is transmitted throu h couplingll, shaft 10 and pinon 16 to t e fly- I wheel B, As soon as the engine A starts to operate under its ownpower, the operator permits pedal switch 60 to return to its normal position, thus disconnecting battery from both the motor D and electroma net winding 20. The pinion 16 being sti in engagement with the flywheel B, the engimp: now drives the dynamo electric mac e D, the generated current traversing a circuit which may be traced from one terminal of the motor through conductor 51", thence thro h electromagnet winding 22, thence throug conductor 52 to switch contact 62, thence through switch bar 60 and contact 63 to conductor 50 and back to the motor. izes its associated core 21 and the armature 23 is moved to theright (Figure 2), thereby causing the pinion 16 to disengage the teeth of the flywheel.

Electromagnet winding 22 polar- As the armature 2-3 and. sleeve 12 move teeth, the rollers 39-39 are carried to a no position to the right (Figure 2) of a ver tical line passing through the rods 40--l0. When this occurs, sprin s 44 quickly return the arms 33 and 38" of the snap-over mechanism to the positions illustrated in Figure 2.

The operation just described is repeated each time the engine is to be started.

If; fornnyreason, the engine should not start when the starting motor is energized, retracting electromagnet windin 22 may be excited from battery by osing knife switch 46.

Having thus illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. Engine starting apparatus comprising a dynamo electric machine, a pinion in driven relation to said machine, said pinion adapted to be'moved bite; and out of mesh with teeth carried by means 'fi xed with respect to the crank-shaft of the-engine to be started, e'lectromagnets for so moving said pinion, a snap-over switching mechanism controllingthe circuit of said machine, said snap-over switching mechanism heing operated by one of the aforesaid el'eotrom nets, and being-adapted to insure that sai' "machine is supplied with electrical energy oniv when the teeth of said pinion are in mesh with their co-operating teeth, and a circuit for one of said elech'omagnets joined to the output terminal of said machine.

2.'Engine starting apparatus comprising a dynamo electric machine, 'a pinion connected with the machine shaft, said pinion adapted to be movedint'o and out of mesh with teeth carried by means fixed" with respect to the crank shaft of the engine with which the starting, apparatus is associated, electromagnetic means for" moving said pinion into mesh with its co operatin teeth, switching mechanism adapted to inshre that electrical energy is snppliedjto said machine only when the"teth'of *said pinion are in mesh with their co-o ac'ratingteeth, and a second electromagnetic means adapted when energized to disengage the teeth of said pinion from their 'iid operating teeth, said last mentioned electromagnetic means being excited By the "current geii'erated bx saidf-ma-- chine when, after the engine starts to' operate under its own power said machine-is driven as a generator by the engine.

3. Engine starting ail-gratusfcomprising a dynamo electric mac 's-pinion connected with the shaft of said-machine, said pinion adapted to be moved into andout of mesh with teeth carried by means fixed with respect to the crank shaft of the engine with which the starting apparatus is associated, electroma etic means for moving the pinion into mes with its co-operating' toothed means, and a second electromagnetic meims adapted to shift said pinion outof engagement with 'its eta-operating toothed means, said second electromagnetic means be'in excited by current created in said mao 'ne when, after the engine starts to o erate under its own power, said machine is riven as a enerator by the engine.

4. 'in combination, an engine having a toothed member in driving and driven relation to the crank shaft thereof, electric motor, a pinion in driving and-cifiven'relation to said motor, and adapted to be shifted into and out of mesh with the aforesaid toothed member, a first 'e!ec-trmna'gnetic means adapted when energized to move the pinion into mesh-with its cooperating toothed member, a second'electromagne'tic means adapted when ener ed to withdraw the pinion from mesh wi "its co-operating toothed member, and switching mechanism adapted when in-one osition to cause-the energization' of: the" rst electromagnetic means, and when in' anothe'r'position to cause the energiza'tion of the second' electromagnetic means. i0

'5. In combination, an engine having a toothed meinber'in driving and driven relation to the 'crank'shatttjhereof, awlynamo electric machine, a "inio'n in d rivin and driven reiatibnto sai machine, and cl apted to beshifted into and out of mesh withthe aforesaid toothed membr, a first electromagnetic means a'daptid when energized to move the pinion into mesh with its cooperating'toothed member, a-second electromagnetic'me'ans aflapfiedwhenenergized to withdraw'the 'pi-nidn from -mesh with its co-operating toothed member, e battery, and switchingn'iechanism adapted when in one position to cause said first mentioned else tromagnetic -inea'ns-t'o be energized by said battery and when in another position 'to place t e second-electronic netio means in circuit with" said machine or energization by current created inusaidmachine-when it is drivenas a generator-bi. the engi ne- 6. In combination, an=engine having a toothed member in driving anddriven relation to the crank shalitthereof, an electric motoryo; pinion in=drivin .end driven relation to said motor, and-ii opted 'to be shiftcdinto=:and: out of'mesh with theaforesaid toothed "member, a 'first electromagnetic means adapted whexr'energized to more the pinion into mesh with 'its co-operating toothed member}: a' second'. electromagnetic means adapted whemener ized. to withdraw the? inion fnonamebli wit its-cooperating toot ed member' sand" switching mechanism adapted :when in-one vposition to cause the ener'gizatioii Ofi-ifihelfirst electromagnetic means, andi when im'fanotherTposition to canse the'energa'zation ofdihe second electromagnetic. :mleans,:- together with; switching means iactnatedvby :said :electroma netic meansandmfdapteditoiinsure that sai mo tor iis'nqt slip lied-math electricai energy. exceptwhenisai pinioxris inmesh with its cooperating iioothedz member.

'7. In "combination,- ana'engine having a toothed memb'el-rin drivi'n and driven reiation to' the-crankshaft thereot, a dynamo electric niachinwa pinion in driving and drivenarelatiomto said machine, and adapted tcribe' sh iftedfinto and out of. mesh with the aforesaid toothed member, a first electromagnetic means adaptedi when energized to move: the 'inion into mesh with its cooperating toot d member, a second electroma' neticmeansiadaptediwhen eher ized to withdraw the pinion Efrem mesh wit its'cooperating toothed member a battery, switching mechanism ddaptdxwhen .in one po'si'tiomto connect thnrfi'nst electromagnetic means inxzcironifi with said battery, and

when in another position to connect the sec- 0nd electromagnetic means in circuit with said machine for energization by current created in said machine when the latter is driven as a generator by the engine, together with a second switching mechanism operated by said electromagnetic means, said second switching mechanism adapted to insure that electrical energy is supplied to said machine from said battery only when said pinion is in mesh with its co-operating toothed member.

8. In combination, an engine having a toothed member in driving and driven relation to the crank haft thereof a dynamo electric machine, a inion in driving and driven relation to sand machine, and adapted to be shifted into and out of mesh with the aforesaid toothed member, a first elec-' tromagnetic means adapted 'when energized to move the pinion into mesh with its 00- operating toothed member,asecond electromagnetic means adapted when energized to withdraw the pinion from mesh with its cooperating toothed member, a battery, switching mechanism adapted when in one position to connect the first electromagnetic means in circuit with said battery, and when in another position to connect the second electromagnetic means in circuit with said machine for energization by current created in said machine when the latter is driven as a generator by the engine, together with a second switching me anism operated by said electromagnetic means said second switching mechanism adapted to co-operate with the first mentioned switching mechanism to connect the machine in circuit 'with the battery when said pinion has been moved into mesh with its co-operating toothed member. V

9. In combination, an engine having a toothed member in drivin and driven relation to the crank shaft t ereof a dynamo electric machine, a. inion in 'ving and driven relation to said machine and adapted to be shifted into and out of mesh with the aforesaid toothed member, a pair of electromagnets, the first one of said electromagnets adapted when energized to shift the pinion into mesh with its co-operating toothed member, the second electromagnet adapted when energized toshift the pinion out of mesh with its co-operating toothed member, and a pair of switching devices, one of said switching devices being under the control of the operator, the other switching device being operated by said electromagnets, actuation and restoration to normal of said operator controlled switch serving to excite the first electromagnet, to include the machine in circuit with the battery after the pinion is in mesh with its co-operating toothed member, to open the machine circuit, and to connect the second electromagnet in circuit with the machine for energization by current generated in the latter, when driven by the'engine as a generator.

10. In combination, an engine having a member in driving and driven relation to the crank shaft thereof, a starting motor, a member in drivin and driven relation to said motor and adapted to be shifted into and out of operative enga ement with the first mentioned member, a rst electromagnet adapted when energized to move the second member into engagement with said first member, a'second electromagnet adapted when energized to withdraw said second member from operative relation to said first member, a circuit for said second electromagnet, and means actuated incident to starting said engine for rendering the circuit of said electromagnet operative.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 12th day of December, 1921.

ALLEN T. KIRK.

Witnesses:

J. Davm DICKINSON, Emu V. Gosriirson'. 

